RECORDED crime almost doubled at this year’s Creamfields event compared to 2009.

There was a dramatic rise in robberies and drug offences at this year’s dance spectacular, but Cheshire Police said one group of offenders and its own drugs policy may have accounted for the increases.

A report to Halton Council by the constabulary revealed that there were 129 recorded drug offences at the two-day August Bank Holiday event, compared to 25 in 2009.

There were 12 cases of robbery compared to only one last year, and a rise in violent attacks from eight to 14.

There was a drop in recorded car crime – 12 incidents compared to 11 in 2009, and a drop in recorded thefts from 74 to 66.

In total there were 235 offences recorded in 2010 compared to 120 last year.

The festival attracted between 60-70,000 revellers and was hailed as a success.

In a report to the council, Cheshire Police said many of the robberies may have been down to one group of crooks.

The report said: “The increase in robbery offences are believed to be accounted for by one group of offenders and may relate to one offence with a number of victims, hence a greater number of reported crimes.

“This group of offenders were identified late on Saturday evening and were removed from the site.

“No more offences of robbery were reported during the weekend after the removal of these individuals.”

The report added: “The increase in drug offences was due to the policing policy and position of the (drug) amnesty bins.”